From Panchayat to PHC: How Strategic Government Partnerships in Karnataka are Scaling the Mission to End Clubfoot Disability
In the quiet village of Bidarakere, Davanagere, a powerful transformation took root on February 27, 2026. While many see disability as an insurmountable barrier, CURE India (often known as CURE) sees it as a challenge that can be overcome through community coordination and clinical excellence.
In a landmark collaboration with CRC Davanagere—operating under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India—we conducted a comprehensive Sensitisation Programme. This initiative was not just about sharing information; it was about building a localized safety net for every child born with Clubfoot. As one of the Top 10 NGO’s in India, CURE India understands that our national presence is only as effective as our ability to reach the "last mile" in rural Karnataka.
The programme focused on the intersection of medical intervention and government flagship schemes. By partnering with CRC Davanagere, we are ensuring that families have access to a holistic rehabilitation ecosystem. The session was attended by a diverse group of community pillars:
This multidisciplinary attendance is the key to social impact. When a teacher, a doctor, and a village leader all understand how to identify clubfoot at birth, the chances of a child falling through the cracks drop to zero. This synergy is why CURE India is recognized as a Top 10 NGO in the country.
Awareness is only the first step; action is the second. Following the sensitisation session, the team conducted targeted home visits in Bidarakere. These visits allowed us to identify children who require immediate rehabilitation and guide them toward our specialized services.
Additionally, site visits to local schools were conducted to strengthen the "early detection" network. By training educators to spot the signs of untreated clubfoot in younger children, we are ensuring that even those who missed out on early care can still receive the gift of mobility. This hands-on approach is what has led CURE India to document the most number of clubfoot children treated globally—over 125,000 lives and counting.
For the medical professionals and parents involved, the message was clear: Clubfoot is a treatable condition, and surgery is rarely the answer. CURE India utilizes the Ponseti method, the globally recognized non-surgical gold standard for correction.
The treatment journey involves:
Crucially, CURE India provides Free Treatment and high-quality braces to every child in the program. By removing the financial burden, we allow families to focus entirely on the child's recovery and long-term brace compliance.
CURE India is proud to manage the largest clubfoot program in the world. However, we are driven by the urgent need to reach more children. Currently, CURE India is treating 33% of children born with clubfoot in India.
Our RunFree2030 initiative is our roadmap for the future. Over the next five years, we are scaling up to 70% coverage nationwide. The Davanagere model—where the government, NGOs, and local panchayats work in unison—is exactly the blueprint we need to achieve this goal. Every pamphlet distributed and every contact detail shared in Bidarakere brings us one step closer to a disability-free India.
To our donors and the general public: your support is the foundation of our credibility. Being a Top 10 NGO is a title we earn every day through the transparency of fund usage. When you make a donation to CURE India, you are funding the "first mile" of care—from the training of Anganwadi workers to the manufacturing of life-changing FAB braces.
We invite you to participate in this mission:
We extend our sincere thanks to CRC Davanagere, the school authorities of Bidarakere, and the local health workers. Together, we are ensuring that every child receives the opportunity to walk with confidence and run toward a brighter future.
Let’s make India run free by 2030.
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